Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a retaining and release mechanism for the magazines of automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms, in particular to a type of magazine which is provided with a lateral securing slot. A tooth ( 52 ) of lever ( 54 ) is designed to engage lateral securing slot ( 34 ) of magazine ( 30 ). Said lever ( 54 ) is pivotally connected to a shaft ( 36 ), located transversely in body ( 16 ) of the firearm, by means of a pin ( 58 ) and attached at its opposite end to an operating push button ( 44 ). A lever seat ( 60 ) of said lever ( 54 ) is urged towards said body ( 16 ) of the firearm and firmly abuts a seat ( 50 ) of a magazine catch slot ( 28 ) by energy exerted through a spring ( 42 ) against said operating push button ( 44 ) and a spring cavity ( 74 ). The tooth ( 52 ) can be disengaged from lateral securing slot ( 34 ) by depressing either operating push button ( 44 ) or a depression extension ( 66 ) of said lever ( 54 ). The magazine ( 30 ) can thus be released from both sides of the rifle.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to improvements of mechanisms used toretain or release magazines of automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms.

The use of a catch or latch to retain and/or release a magazine with alateral securing slot in automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms, suchas the “standard NATO 5.56 mm”, is known. Many firearms alreadyincorporate the use of a hook or catch which operates in a recessallowing for its engagement into the magazine thereby securing themagazine in the firearm.

The hook or catch is typically attached to a rod or shaft which isguided transversely through the body of the weapon and secured to apush-button. A spring, located around the shaft, is used to hold anengagement tooth of the hook in a position that secures the magazine.Depressing of the push-button towards the body of the rifle forces thehook or catch away from the lateral securing slot, releasing themagazine from the firearm. This push-button is usually located on theright side of the firearm and is, in some circumstances, difficult tooperate by “left-handed” shooters.

There are several accepted methods of removal and replacement ofmagazines. The “European Method” stresses the need to maintain theexpended magazine on one's person. European firearms have a magazinerelease that is located conveniently close to the magazine well. The“European” soldier, therefore, is trained to cradle the weapon with his“non-firing” hand, remove his “firing-hand” from the pistol grip, placehis “firing-hand” around the magazine body and use the thumb of the“firing-hand” to actuate a magazine release button. The soldier thenplaces the spent magazine in a magazine pouch and uses this same“firing-hand” to retrieve a loaded magazine. The “firing-hand” is againused to insert the loaded magazine into the weapon. Then, the“firing-hand” is placed back on the pistol grip, the bolt is releasedand the soldier is free to re-acquire and engage targets.

The “American Method” stresses the importance of speed during a magazinechange. The M16 and AR-15 rifles are provided with a magazine releasethat is situated so that the soldier can readily depress it with theindex finger of his “firing-hand” while in its normal position on thepistol grip. In this manner, the soldier has the ability to release amagazine with the index finger of his “firing-hand”, allowing the spentmagazine to fall away, while simultaneously retrieving a loaded magazinewith his “non-firing” hand. This “non-firing” hand inserts the loadedmagazine, releases the bolt and the shooter need only move his indexfinger back to the trigger to re-engage targets. It is obvious that thismethod of changing a magazine requires much less time to execute thanthe “European Method” described above.

Both of the methods described above were developed for a “right-handed”shooter firing a weapon designed for a “right-handed” shooter. The“left-handed” shooter, using a firearm designed for a “right-handed”shooter, must use his “non-firing” hand to change magazines while his“firing-hand” is maintained on the pistol grip. In doing so, he mustfirst depress the existing magazine release with the thumb of his“non-firing” hand and remove the spent magazine before he can use thesame “non-firing” hand to retrieve and insert a loaded magazine. As youcan see, the “American Method” for the “right-handed” shooter is, again,much more expedient. It is, therefore, important to provide a firearmwith a magazine release mechanism that is operable in a like manner forboth “left-handed” and “right-handed” shooters. This ambidextrousrelease mechanism must also be constructed so that it is easilydepressed by the index finger of the “firing-hand” while in its normalposition on the pistol grip.

The need for an ambidextrous magazine release is not limited to the“left-handed” shooter alone. Often times, in a combat situation, asoldier is forced to switch from his dominant shooting posture to takeadvantage of cover and concealment. The act of changing a magazine inthis less familiar posture can cost the soldier valuable time whentrying to reload his weapon.

An injury sustained by a soldier could also change his dominant shootingposture. The loss of a dominant eye or digits of his “firing-hand” mayforce him to use a weaker position. A wounded hand could still be usedto steady the weapon and perform the less complicated task of replacinga magazine.

When a shooter uses a sling to better stabilize his position, the“non-firing” hand is physically “bound” to the forearm by the sling. The“right-handed” shooter must use his “firing-hand” to remove and replacean expended magazine. The “left-handed” shooter, using a firearmdesigned for a “right-handed” shooter, is forced to assume an extremelyawkward position, often times having to reach over the entire weapon torelease and remove a spent magazine. This excess movement takes valuabletime and reduces the “left-handed” shooter's ability to re-engagetargets at the same speed as his “right-handed” counterpart.

It should be clear to the reader that an ambidextrous magazine releasemechanism must not only be easily accessible by the index finger ofeither “firing” hand while that “firing-hand” is maintained on thepistol grip, but it must also be equally accessible to the thumb of the“firing” or “non-firing” hand that is used to both remove and replace amagazine.

2. Description of Prior Art

Inventors have created several types of ambidextrous magazinerelease/retaining mechanisms to enable “left-handed” shooters to use thesame firearm as “right-handed” shooters.

One invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,479 to Johnson, seeks to providerifles, like the Heckler and Koch Models 91 and 93, with a mechanismthat enables a “right-handed” shooter to release and remove a magazinewith the “non-firing” hand. A pivotal assembly, with a depressableextension, is attached to the transversely located shaft of the existingmagazine release. When depressed, the pivotal assembly “cams” against aninside “stamped metal” wall of the firearm, causing the shaft to move inthe direction necessary to disengage the hook from the lateral securingslot of the magazine. The extension is designed to be depressed with thethumb of the “non-firing” hand while it is positioned around themagazine. This requires the extension to be located conveniently closeto the magazine well. The operation of this invention depends on theextension being located behind the magazine and under the firearm. A“left-handed” shooter can change magazines in a similar manner. The“left-handed” shooter simply depresses the existing operating pushbutton, located near the magazine well, with the thumb of his“non-firing” hand. This invention does provide an ambidextrous means ofmagazine removal. It still fails, however, to provide the shooter accessto the magazine release with the index finger of the “firing-hand” whilein its normal position on the pistol grip. The shooter is still requiredto use his “non-firing” hand to remove and secure the magazine before hecan use the same “non-firing hand” to retrieve and install the freshmagazine into the firearm. It is obviously faster to release themagazine with the finger of the “firing-hand”, allowing the magazine tofall away, while simultaneously retrieving and installing a loadedmagazine with the “non-firing” hand. As stated, this invention requiresa portion of the assembly to “pivot” against a inside wall of a “stampedmetal” body. Since the majority of the firearms using the “standard NATO5.56 mm” magazine are machined from a block of aluminum alloy, it isclear that there is no cavity in which to house or operate thisinvention. The installation or “retro-fitting” of this assembly would becomplicated, requiring tools and a limited amount of expertise.

Another invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,134 to Beretta, was designed toenable a “right-handed” shooter to release a magazine when a buttstockis folded against the body of a receiver, blocking a “right-hand” biasedmagazine release button. A rocking lever, located on the left side ofthe firearm, is pivotally connected to the magazine catch. When apressable portion, located on the forward end of the rocking lever, isdepressed, the assembly “cams” against the body of the firearm liftingthe catch away from the magazine. The major disadvantage of thismechanism is the location of the pressable portion forward and away fromthe pistol grip. This configuration cannot be operated by the indexfinger of the “firing-hand” while in its normal position on the pistolgrip. As previously discussed, the shooter must be able to depress themagazine release with the index finger of his “firing-hand”, while inits normal position on the pistol grip, in order to execute the fastestpossible magazine change. The lever is not protected and is susceptibleto accidental release by laying the firearm on its side or by beingstruck with equipment that is worn by a soldier. Another disadvantage ofthe forward location of the lever is that it creates a “fork” which willbe prone to snagging by foliage and equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954 discloses an invention which addresses theshortcomings of the patents previously discussed. The self-containedassembly uses a second spring to apply force to the engagement tooth ofa lever and incorporates several “bosses” and a low profile to reducethe possibility of accidental release of the magazine. The onlyshortcoming of this design is that it may not readily adapt to a few ofthe weapon designs that use stamped metal construction of the receiverin which the standard magazine catch operates.

Advances in metallurgy and coatings of weapons has reduced thepossibility of wear from an ambidextrous magazine release assembly that“cams” on the outer surface of the weapon. Some weapons that areconstructed of stamped metal also incorporate a folding stock to reducehe weapon's overall length for close quarters battle. These designsstill require some type of ambidextrous magazine release for the reasonspreviously discussed.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, one of the objects of my ambidextrous magazine releasemechanism is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and toprovide a mechanism that can be easily manipulated by “left-handed” or“right-handed” shooters employing all of the methods of changing amagazine previously discussed. Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved magazine retaining and release mechanism that isreadily adaptable to existing assemblies without the need for alterationof the firearm. My invention's “simplified” design makes installationquick and easy, requiring only a simple tool and no expertise. Yetanother object of my invention is to provide an ambidextrous releasethat “cams” on the outer surface of the weapon but provides access tothe shooter's trigger finger while the firing hand is placed around thepistol grip. The location of the depression portion of my invention islocated to the rear making it less susceptible to snagging by foliageand battlefield obstacles. The design is such that the pivot locationacts to reduce the possibility of accidental release much like theinvention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described further by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of a rifle;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-section view taken along line 2-2of FIG. 1, showing my magazine release engaged with a magazine;

FIG. 3 is a similar partial longitudinal cross-section view taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the magazine is releasedby pushing on an operating push-button;

FIG. 4 is another partial longitudinal cross-section view taken alongline 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the magazine isreleased by depressing an extension of my magazine release.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showingmy magazine release with the lever “at rest”;

FIG. 6 is a similar sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1,showing my magazine release with the extension of the lever “depressed”;

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   16 body-   18 buttstock-   20 pistol grip-   22 trigger-   24 magazine well-   26 alignment recess-   28 magazine catch slot-   30 magazine-   32 cavity-   34 lateral securing slot-   36 shaft-   38 cam edge-   40 orifice-   42 spring-   44 operating push button-   46 threaded portion-   48 threaded hole-   50 seat-   52 tooth-   54 lever-   56 engagement stop-   58 pin-   60 lever seat-   66 depression extension-   68 pivot stop-   72 elongated recess-   74 spring cavity-   75 bevel-   76 a feed lip (left)-   76 b feed lip (right)

Description of the Preferred Embodiment—FIG. 1

In FIG. 1 a lower receiver or body 16 of an automatic or semi-automaticrifle is shown including a buttstock 18, a pistol grip 20, a trigger 22,and a magazine well 24. Within magazine well 24 is an alignment recess26 and an adjacent magazine catch slot 28. A magazine 30 is insertedinto magazine well 24. When magazine 30 is fully seated in magazine well24, a lateral securing slot 34 coincides with magazine catch slot 28. Ashaft or rod 36, which is pivotally attached to lever 54 by means of apin 58, is guided transversely through an orifice 40, a spring 42, andis connected to an operating push button 44 by means of a threadedportion 46 which is screwed into a threaded hole 48 extending throughoperating push button 44. Spring 42, acting against operating pushbutton 44 and spring cavity 74, urges lever 54 towards body 16 withinmagazine catch slot 28. Lever seat 60 of lever 54 comes to rest on aseat 50 allowing for the engagement of a tooth 52, of lever 54, withlateral securing slot 34 (not shown) of magazine 30. A pair of feedinglips 76 a and 76 b are formed in the construction of magazine 30. Theouter radius of feeding lip 76 a contacts a bevel 75 of tooth 52allowing tooth 52 to “ride-over” magazine 30 pushing tooth 52 out ofmagazine well 24 when magazine 30 is inserted into magazine well 24.Tooth 52 slides along the outside of magazine 30 until lateral securingslot 34 coincides with magazine catch slot 28. Energy from spring 42acts against operating push button 44, which is connected to shaft 36 bythreaded portion 46 and threaded hole 48, and spring cavity 74 pullingshaft 36 which firmly seats lever seat 60 against seat 50 of magazinecatch slot 28 urging tooth 52 of lever 54 into the aligned lateralsecuring slot 34 of magazine 30.

FIG. 1 shows clearly a spring cavity 74 for alignment of spring 42. Anelongated recess 72 allows for sufficient depression of operating pushbutton 44 into body 16 to accommodate the rotation of lever 54 whenconnecting threaded portion 46 of shaft 36 to threaded hole 48 ofoperating push button 44 (this connection could also be achieved bypinning shaft 36 to operating push button 44). When a sufficient numberof rotations of lever 54 are achieved to completely engage threadedportion 46 within threaded hole 48, lever 54 is aligned with magazinecatch slot 28 and operating push button 44 is released. The elongatedshape of recess 72 also acts to restrict radial movement and rotation ofoperating push button 44 eliminating the need for hardware to fixoperating push button 44 to shaft 36.

Operation—FIGS. 2-4

In FIG. 2 (rest position) lever 54 is shown with lever seat 60 firmlycontacting seat 50 of magazine catch slot 28 with tooth 52 positivelyengaging magazine catch slot 34. Cam edge 38 is shown disengaged. Camedge 38 can be solid or skeletonized as depicted in FIG. 1. Depressionextension 66 is located to the rear allowing the “left-handed” shooterto access it with the index finger of his “firing-hand” while in itsnormal position on the pistol grip. The existing operating push button44 is already accessible to the index finger of the “firing-hand”, of a“right-handed” shooter, while in its normal position on the pistol grip.The removal of magazine 30 may be brought about by depressing eitheroperating push button 44 or depression extension 66. In the first case,it is sufficient to press operating push button 44 in the direction ofarrow B in FIG. 3. In the second case, it is sufficient to depressdepression extension 66 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4. Thedepression of depression extension 66 rocks lever 54 on cam edge 38drawing tooth 52 out of engagement with magazine catch slot 34 drawingoperating push button 44 into elongated recess 72 slightly due to thepivotal connection of shaft 36 to lever 54. This camming action can takeplace on the exterior of the weapon or within a recess used to house anexisting non-ambidextrous magazine catch.

Internal Detail—FIGS. 5-6

FIG. 5 shows the minimum clearance necessary for function of theassembly in which cavity 32 is provided for free movement of shaft 36during operation. At rest, engagement stop 56 abuts shaft 36 limitingengagement of tooth 52 and acts to “station” lever 54 so it can be drawnout of engagement with lateral securing slot 34 of magazine 30 whenoperating push button 44 is used to release the magazine (primarymethod). FIG. 5 also shows a pivot stop 68 which limits travel of lever54 to eliminate the possibility of depression extension 66 makingcontact with the outer surface of the weapon. FIG. 6 shows lever 54depressed and in contact with pivot stop 68. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show thepivotal end of shaft 36 radiused. The pivotal end could be simplybeveled as long as there is sufficient space provided by cavity 32 foroperation. Impact to lever 54 forward of depression extension 66 forceslever seat 60 against seat 50 of magazine catch slot 28 preventing tooth52 of lever 54 from disengaging from lateral securing slot 34 ofmagazine 30 holding magazine 30 securely in the weapon.

Thus the reader will see that my ambidextrous magazine release can beeasily operated from either side of a firearm by both “right-handed” and“left handed” shooters, in a similar manner. The reader will also notethat my magazine release incorporates design features that reduce thepossibility of accidental release of a magazine and snags from foliageand equipment. My magazine release is readily adaptable to existingfirearms and enhances a “left-handed” or “right-handed” shooter'sability to execute a magazine change.

While the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, butrather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Manyother variations are possible.

Accordingly, the scope of my invention should be determined not by theembodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

Summary

It should, therefore, be clear to the reader that the structure of myinvention will enable “left-handed” and “right-handed” shooters torelease and retain magazines in the fastest possible manner, by reducingthe excess movements required to change a magazine with existing releasemechanisms. Furthermore, the structure of my invention has additionaladvantages in that

it requires no special tools or expertise to install;

it is readily adaptable to a wide range of “NATO” firearms currently inproduction;

the pressable portion is accessible by the index finger of the“firing-hand” while in its normal position on the pistol grip, for both“left-handed” and “right-handed” shooters;

it can also be manipulated by the thumb of the hand used to remove themagazine;

it overcomes the disadvantages associated with the use of a foldingstock;

it provides a “left-handed” shooter, using a sling, with the sameability to change magazines as his “right-handed” counterpart;

it contains elements that protect the assembly from accidentaldepression;

it incorporates design features that make the assembly less prone tosnagging from foliage and equipment.

1. An ambidextrous magazine release and retaining mechanism for use witha gun, comprising: a rod having first and second ends transversely andslidably mounted within the gun; a spring for biasing the rod towardsthe first end thereof; a pushbutton connected to the first end of therod for pushing the rod against the bias of the spring; a leverpivotally connected to the second end of the rod; said lever havingfirst and second ends; the first end of the lever for engaging with themagazine and the second end of the lever including a pressing surfacewhich when pressed towards the gun moves the first end of the lever awayfrom the magazine, the pressing surface of the second end of the leverdisposed exterior to the gun and directly pressable by a user.
 2. Amechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rod and lever are arrangedsuch that when the push button is pressed towards the gun, the levermoves away from the gun without the lever pivoting.
 3. A mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein: the lever has a rounded surface on thefirst end thereof, the rounded surface facing away from the gun.
 4. Agun having an ambidextrous magazine release and retaining mechanism,comprising: a gun body for accepting a magazine; a rod having first andsecond ends transversely and slidably mounted within the gun; a springfor biasing the rod towards the first end thereof; a pushbuttonconnected to the first end of the rod for pushing the rod against thebias of the spring; a lever pivotally connected to the second end of therod; said lever having first and second ends; the first end of the leverfor engaging with the magazine and the second end of the lever includinga pressing surface which when pressed towards the gun moves the firstend of the lever away from the magazine, the pressing surface of thesecond end of the lever disposed exterior to the gun and directlypressable by a user.
 5. A gun according to claim 4, wherein the rod andlever are arranged such that when the push button is pressed towards thegun, the lever moves away from the gun without the lever pivoting.
 6. Agun according to claim 4, wherein: the lever has a rounded surface onthe first end thereof, the rounded surface facing away from the gun.